Airborne 12.09.16

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Airborne 12.09.16

Aviation And Clean Technology Leaders Working To Achieve Energy Security

United Airlines, Boeing, Honeywell's UOP, the Chicago Department of Aviation and the Clean Energy Trust today announced the formation of the Midwest Aviation Sustainable Biofuels Initiative (MASBI), designed to advance aviation biofuel development in a 12-state region holding significant promise for biomass feedstock, technology development, job creation and sustainable commercialization. MASBI will deliver a comprehensive evaluation of the region's biofuel potential and a plan to support regional and national needs in a responsible manner.

MASBI's Advisory Council will include national leaders in advanced biofuels, such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of the Navy, other Federal agencies, non-governmental organizations and academic institutions.

"In just a few short years, aviation biofuels have developed from a hopeful vision of the future to an exciting reality of more than 1,500 passenger flights flown with advanced biofuels," said Jimmy Samartzis, managing director of Global Environmental Affairs and Sustainability for United. "Our industry is committed to advancing sustainable biofuels, and United is proud to launch MASBI with our partners to define appropriate solutions to make alternative fuel available at commercial scale, unlock the Midwest's economic potential for advanced biofuels and secure a sustainable future for aviation."

Airlines operating in the Midwest transport more than 234 million passengers and consume nearly three billion gallons of jet fuel annually. Organization stakeholders are developing a feasibility study and an action plan to advance the biofuels industry in the Midwest.

"When you consider the U.S. aviation industry uses more than 20 billion gallons of fuel each year, the environmental and economic potential of commercializing biofuels technology becomes truly game-changing," said Amy Francetic, executive director of Clean Energy Trust. "Positioning the Midwest as the global aviation biofuels leader means long-term economic development and large-scale creation of permanent jobs in the region."